Exclusive: Kyle MacLachlan to exit 'Desperate Housewives'

Image Credit: Danny Feld/ABCWisteria Lane is about to lose another longtime resident: Kyle MacLachlan is leaving Desperate Housewives after four years of playing Orson Hodge, sources confirm to me exclusively.

Exit rumors have swirled around the woefully underused MacLachlan for the better part of the past two years. Speculation picked up again after Sunday’s season finale, during which Orson — disappointed that Bree would allow herself to be blackmailed by Sam — abruptly moved out.

I’m told MacLachlan will likely return for an episode or two next fall to tie up the Orson/Bree story.

MacLachlan’s decampment brings to three the number of series regulars coming off the Housewives payroll. He joins the dearly departed Drea de Matteo and Dana Delany.

Thoughts? Is this something that should have happened two years ago when Orson started to drift onto the back burner? Will the return of Mark Moses and the recent addition of Vanessa Williams more than fill the void? Sound off below!